If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Corrosion on 380 Radiator header tank crimp

Guys,

Just doing some cleaning of my 380 VRX engine today (dry rag only as it's not too dirty at this stage). I came across a strange thing along the crimp of the header tank on the radiator. The front edge of the (I assume) aluminium crimp is pristine as shown in the first pic. The back edge of the crimp (inside the engine bay) was caked with a white corrosion. Looked like a piece of aluminium which had been left in a salty environment. Also similar to the corrosion on a battery terminal.

Unfortunately, I had removed most of the corrosion from the crimp before thinking to take some shots of it so it's mostly all gone now. The second and third photos show some of the deposit still in place. I'll keep an eye on this to see it doesn't come back but I'll get it checked when the 15K service comes due (at 10K now) unless it becomes a problem. You might want to check yours.

I have not washed the engine bay at all since new but it is strange only to see the problem on the back side. The aircon pipes next to the radiator, also aluminium, don't show any corrosion from splatter. They are quite close. There is also no dye to denote this was a leak of the engine coolant from the header tank or the connection hoses. Something to check. Cheers...